South Beach Dieters-Can I ask some questions?

[anniet]

Hi!

I need to buckle down again- I lost 10 pounds on WW last Spring and now I need to lose more (thankfully the 10 never came back)

But I am recently married and weighing/measuring and counting points is coming harder now that I cook for 2.

I know when I increase my protein I get less cravings and am in more control, but I find Atkins too strict.

Can you tell me about the SBD?

I think I heard phase one is strict, but must I say goodbye to ALL carbs for a long period of time (meaning MONTHS) I don't mind giving up most carbs, but I like a sandwich in a small pita bread, and I do enjoy fruit.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[helenk]

I really like the South Beach diet, I found Atkins to be too strict and I just could not stay on that.
Yes the first 2 weeks of the SB are strict, but after the first few days you find that your body adapts to the no carbs and you adjust. Once you are past the first 2 weeks you can introduce some carbs back into your diet.
The book has a lot of great recipes for all of the stages. I never feel deprived, some times I get cravings but I am usually able to work through them.
One nice thing too is that alot of the grocery stores as well as Walmart and Kmart are carry low carb items. I use low carb bread, I eat low carb ice cream, there is pancake mix and syrup that you can buy as well. Some of the stuff is expensive so I have not tried it, but some of the items are reasonably priced.
There are alot of options for us, so that makes it easier.
Good luck

 

[JulieK]

Hello anniet.
I started the SBD at the beginning of Feb. and so far it has been a great plan for me. The first two weeks called Phase 1 is the strictest phase. Basically it's just to get rid of your cravings for bad carbs such as, breads, potatoes and sweets. It also helps your body relearn how to process carbs efficiently. You will get to eat plenty of lean meats, poultry and other proteins and plenty of vegetables. Plus, you can have low-fat dairy and cheeses.
Then after those 2 weeks are over you move into phase 2. In this phase you will slowly reintroduce some other good carbs back into your diet. This includes your pita bread, fruit and other whole grain products.
What I try to remember about this diet is that it is not a no carb diet. It is a good carb, good protein diet. Really it's just about having no refined sugars or flour.
Here is a link to a helpful website with good South Beach info:
http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature2002/0,4780,s1-6267,00.html

I really like this way of eating and just as helen said I also never feel deprived. It's just a healthy way of eating.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Once you get past Phase 1 you can have pita bread - I would think wheat - and fruit. If you stop losing, you just cut back on the good carbs you were adding. There is no counting, measuring, weighing, etc. I encourage you to check out the book. It is interesting. Good luck!

 

[ZerasPride]

I just wanted to chime in too. DH and I love SBD. He just said to me this afternoon as I making lunch in the kitchen how grateful he is to me for finding this program for us. We started SBD on December 1, 2003 and have lost about 70 pounds so far between the two of us!

The food is absolutely delicious and as was already mentioned before, after you come off Phase 1, which is only two weeks, you can add back good carbs to you diet like fruit, whole grain breads, whole grain pastas, long grain converted or brown rice and such. I also adapt many of our family's favorites and make them SBD friendly with just a little tweaking.

I think you will like it. I would definitely read the book and/or visit the website listed above which will help you make up your mind if this program is right for you. I hope to see you hanging out on the Beach with us soon!